Gasteria disticha | Karoo Spotted Tongue Gasteria
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Small, slow-growing, acaulescent succulent that develops small clusters over time through basal offsets. Both young and mature leaves characteristically remain distichous, arranged in two opposite rows, and can reach 6–12 cm in length and 3–4.5 cm in width. They are thick, strap-shaped, ascending, and occasionally recurved, with an obtuse apex ending in a small firm tip.
The surface of both sides is covered by an extraordinary finely rough, sandpaper-like texture (asperulate), and presents numerous white spots grouped in irregular transverse bands. The margins are wavy and provided with small, rounded, whitish teeth. During drought, the leaves become canaliculate and their ends curve inwards; they can also acquire reddish or reddish-brown tones that improve their camouflage among the Karoo vegetation.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Native to South Africa, mainly in the Western Cape province, with an extensive distribution throughout the Great Karoo and the Robertson Karoo, from Beaufort West and Merweville to Rietbron, and southward through the Breede River Valley, Worcester, Robertson, Koo Valley, and Ouberg Pass. It appears up to about 800 m in altitude, growing on rocky outcrops of tillite, sandstone, shale, and schist, usually protected under thorny Karoo shrubs. It receives between 100 and 300 mm of annual rainfall, both winter and summer, with very hot summers and the possibility of frost in northern populations.
Family Asphodelaceae, tribe Alooideae, section Gasteria, series Gasteria, genus Gasteria.
❄️ Temperature — USDA 10
Tolerates minimum temperatures down to −1 ºC. In cultivation, it is recommended to protect it from intense and prolonged frost, especially when the substrate remains moist.
☀️ Lighting
Shade–partial shade. In its habitat, it grows protected by shrubs, although it can withstand more light if it is acclimated gradually. In very hot climates, it is recommended to avoid intense sun during midday hours. To maintain compact growth and good coloration, approximately 10–20 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Its distribution covers regions with both winter and summer rainfall, and SANBI recommends watering throughout the year. It is recommended to water thoroughly when the substrate is completely dry, adjusting the frequency to temperature, light, and the plant's activity.
🌸 Flowering
Produces a long floral raceme, simple or with some lateral branching, which can reach 20–90 cm and carry numerous hanging flowers. The flowers measure approximately 12–20 mm, are tubular and swollen at the base, and range from pink to reddish-pink in color. Flowering can occur from July to February, with a peak around September in the Southern Hemisphere. Plants can reach flowering size at approximately 4 years of age.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co. is recommended, with a high content of potassium and bioavailable calcium. It is applied with watering, reducing or suspending fertilization during periods of lower activity.
9x9 cm gourmet black pot
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi
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